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Topic: Auditions (Read 5606 times)

With the first week of auditions from Boston and Georgia aired, did anyone stand out for you? Several for me.

Maddie Curtis, 16. She sang Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." AI did a back-story on her so we knew she would be going to Hollywood. (Has a brother with Downs Syndrome and her mom and dad adopted 3 more Down Syndrome children so her brother wouldn't feel alone.

"Guitar Girl," Holly Harden. She sang well but wore a ridiculous costume and I hope she isn't another Bikini Girl. She sang “You Aint Woman Enough To Take My Man”. She reminded me a little of Kellie Pickler, but not sure she will make it far in Hollywood.

Tyler Grady, 19, a drummer with two broken arms. He sang "Let's Get It On." Kara and Victoria Beckham liked him, but not Simon or Randy. (Back-story treated us to a view of his X rays.)

Only a few were shown, the show seemed rather short even if it was an hour. (Minus commercials of course!)

In no particular order: Charity Vance, 16. She sang "Summertime," and while a lot of singers on AI have sung this, she made it her own, she has a unique style. Her voice is light and pure and she is very personable. AI did a back-story on her. Good sign.

Angela Martin, 28. Will the third try be the charm? She tried out in Season 7 and her father died. Season 8, making it to the top 50, only to have to leave because of a traffic warrant. I think she might go further this year.

Katelyn Epperly, the first contestant to make it through from Chicago, sang “Syrup and Honey” by Duffy and talked about her parents splitting up. (Could have done without this but it is AI and they like drama.)

"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan

The ditty 'Pants on the Ground,' by Atlanta civil rights icon Larry Platt, made its debut Wednesday on 'American Idol' – and its ridicule of low-rider pants seems to be resonating.

By Patrik Jonsson Staff writer / January 14, 2010Atlanta

"General" Larry Platt, whose original ditty "Pants on the Ground" cracked up everyone on "American Idol" Wednesday night, is not your standard "Idol" outtake (and not only because he's well over the cut-off age of 28).

Beaten by law officers during the 1965 "Bloody Sunday" march in Alabama, Mr. Platt was nicknamed "General" by Atlanta civil rights icon Hosea Williams for his heroic role in the civil rights era. (See a picture here. Platt is the young man on the left looking at the camera.) These days, Platt is going at it alone, protesting that too-stubborn urban fashion statement: pants worn low, crotch almost at the knees – a sign, to many, of disrespect and a thumb in the eye to many civil rights activists like Platt who fought to raise the profile of black Americans in US society.

Sure, some communities – including Atlanta – have tried (with dubious success) to outlaw the fashion statement, saying low-rider pants are obscene. But Platt's catchy ditty about youths with gold in their mouths, baseball caps turned sideways, and "looking like a fool with your pants on the ground" could do more to discourage the look than any local ordinance, especially now that his tune is getting remixed on YouTube. Unusually cheery, "Idol" grump Simon Cowell predicted: "I have a horrible feeling that song could be a hit."

Already, it's a ring tone, and there's a Facebook campaign charging ahead to get Platt a record deal. His message runs deeper, at least, than that of "Idol" hopeful William Hung (also on YouTube).

Platt has long been a presence at Atlanta City Council meetings, and his latest mission has been to protest widespread foreclosures in Atlanta's mostly black neighborhoods. Even the Georgia legislature has hailed Platt for his "outstanding service" in the community, and the city of Atlanta proclaimed Sept. 4, 2001, to be Larry Platt Day.

Seems appropriate that "Idol" would give him a nod, allowing America a perhaps overdue glimpse at one of Atlanta's unique personalities.

"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan

I haven't posted any comments about the Orlando auditions, frankly only a few stood out for me.

Date: Jan. 20, 2010Judge: Kristin Chenoweth

Seth Rollins, 28, has an autistic son. He sang "Someone to Watch Over Me." He got a back story so we knew he was going through. He sang well and Kara and Randy loved him.

Last audition of the first day was Shelby Dressel. An 18 years old who was born with a facial problem. The right side of her face is paralyzed but she has a really nice smile and cute way about her and the judges put her though. She sang “Turn Me On” by Norah Jones and had a nice vibe. Half way through she forgot the words and cursed but that endeared her to the judges.

For those who like beat box, meet Jay Stone, 25.

SECURITY!!! SECURITY!!

Last audition in Orlando, Matt Lawrence, 25, with a back story. He robbed a bank with a BB gun when he was 15. All 3 judges loved him, Simon called his performance brilliant!

"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan

I cried too. Seth Rollins walking down the sidewalk with his autistic son with the words song will fix you...(something close to that). Being a parent of an autistic son I just hope his wife can handle the stress of basically being a single mom. I hope they have a huge support system.

Only a few real standouts for me either day, however we were treated to the Adam Lambert lookalike montage. (Note to copycat wannabe's.. it never works!) Avril Lavigne wore a devil horned hoodie, which bizarre as it was looked good on her.

Mary Powers, 28, with an eight year old daughter who wanted to meet Simon. She had a decent voice, not sure how far she will go. Her audition is here:

Andrew Garcia, 23, got the backstory treatment. He has an inspiring story, his mom and dad were in gangs but moved so their children would have a better life. Simon said he was a genuinely genuinely, good, good singer.

Chris Golightly, 25, backstory treatment. He was in foster care for years, lived with over 25 families. He sang "Stand by Me." The judges loved him except for Simon with a small "y." Very easy to listen to him sing, seemed like a nice kid.

Dallas, slow show, few if any outstanding auditions, most of the people put through weren't even shown. The only one that I thought had a prayer was Lloyd Thomas. He sang "Overjoyed" by Stevie Wonder. Simon loved him

I found most of the audition shows lacking because I'm not sure we are seeing the best of the singers. I don't know why that is unless it's the shortened time, one hour instead of two. Maybe we griped too much about the bad auditions. They did seem to put a lot through though this year didn't they.

Casey James, 27, a Texas musician. He got the backstory treatment. He was in a motorcycle accident at 22 and was told he'd never play the guitar again. Simon didn't like his performance but Kara and Victoria wanted him to take his shirt off, put his hair down. Randy said yes but get some star appeal. (Casey's audition begins at the 52 second mark.)

From Florence Italy, Nicci Nix, 22. She flew from Italy to Germany to Denver to audition. Her song was "Something Kinda Ooh" by Girls Aloud. Simon asked if she had drunk helium but I don't think Nicci heard him. Her speaking voice was high but she sang much lower. Really cute and different.

Tori Kelly, 16, brought a little friend named Hope into the audition room. She drew pictures for the judges and they made a big deal over them. Tori sang “Gravity” by John Mayer. Simon made the comment that she was a human orange. (She wore a long orange dress.) However she sang well and the other judges liked her.

HMMM there was an 11 year old Tori Kelly on America's Most Talented Kid, is she the same Tori?

Last but best for me, Haeley Vaughn, 16 years old. She got the backstory treatment. She wants to be the first black pop country main stream singer. Really cute. I think she will go far.

I'll spare you the Bikini Boy. The judges fled and rightly so. There's only one Bikini Idol and that's reserved for our infamous Bikini Girl!

"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan